#ContinuingToServe

King’s was built on an ambition to serve society and this commitment is stronger than ever. During this period of uncertainty and change, King’s is stepping up efforts to deliver on its promise to make the world a better place by continuing to serve our local, national and international communities.

That’s why we have launched #ContinuingToServe, our university-wide approach to bringing together, strengthening and celebrating the many ways in which King’s people are making a difference, wherever they may be, fulfilling our purpose as a civic university that serves the world.

We want to make it as simple as possible for King’s students, staff and alumni to support communities in our local area, across the UK and internationally.

Charities, community organisations and social enterprises

To request volunteers, advice, support from our staff or students, or non-financial donations, let us know using this form.

To see other ways King's can support you or your communities, like free online sports classes, free legal advice and access to research, check our #KingsLocal pages.

To support our NHS partners, or if you are an NHS body seeking support from King’s, please complete this form.

To let us know about a story we can share, email continuingtoserve@kcl.ac.uk or let us know how you are making a difference by tagging @ServiceAtKings on Twitter and Instagram, and by using the hashtags #ContinuingToServe and #WeAreKings.

Societies can submit your volunteering achievements to the Accreditation Scheme and work towards your next award.

If you know somebody who has made a contribution to the COVID-19 response through volunteering, nominate them for KCLSU Volunteer of the Month. You can nominate yourself, a friend or a person you know of that is doing something great in the community.

The KCLSU Annual Awards will take place online at 3pm on Friday 27th June. The Crisis Voluntary Impact Award will acknowledge and celebrate the students and recent alumni who have gone above and beyond during the global COVID-19 crisis.

As well as volunteering in your own time, everyone employed by King’s can choose to spend up to three days per year (pro-rated) doing voluntary work for another organisation or volunteering scheme using Service Time (internal).

Remember that the main priority when volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic should be to keep yourself and others safe. Any activity that involves leaving the house is only permitted in certain circumstances and before volunteering you should read carefully the government guidelines for wherever you are. You can read the UK government’s guidelines on how to help safely here. KCLSU has put together some advice for students on how to keep safe whilst helping others.

More information

I want to volunteer FROM HOME

SumOfUs – COVID-19 Support NetworkSumOfUs has built a centralised global response system where individuals can log and respond to COVID-19-related asks and offers. There are a wide range of asks, including those that are virtual and can be done from home. Offers of help can also be posted and can be virtual. https://aid.sumofus.org/en

Communities TogetherCommunities Together has set up a platform to help all UK communities respond to COVID-19. There are a wide range of asks, including those that are virtual and can be done from home.https://together.madeopen.co.uk/

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM)SLaM urgently need a range of Digital/IT skills to support their important work in the short-term, including but not limited to Service Desk and Workspace support, developers, Server and network engineers, AV and project management. This is a perfect opportunity for furloughed staff to volunteer for an NHS body and key King’s partner. Part/full-time roles are available.Contact continuingtoserve@kcl.ac.uk for more details.

Community SouthwarkCommunity Southwark coordinates the voluntary and community sector in Southwark. During the pandemic, charities are under more pressure than ever. Community Southwark is working with organisations to gather all of the volunteering opportunities that they have available and are continuing to update their site as they receive more information. There are a wide range of different roles on their site including those that are virtual and can be done from home. http://communitysouthwark.org/get-involved/covid-19-supporting-vcs-local-communities/covid-19-volunteering-vacancies

Lambeth CouncilLambeth has a strong community spirit and a large voluntary and community sector. Lambeth Council have published and continue to update a page with details of how you can help within the borough, including volunteering opportunities that are virtual and can be done from home. https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/how-you-can-help

Westminster City Council – Westminster ConnectsWestminster City Council has set up Westminster Connects to connect volunteers with those who need help during the coronavirus outbreak. Anyone who would like to help can sign up as a volunteer and specify their availability, skills and how they would like to help. https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-how-you-can-help

Volunteer CornwallVolunteer Cornwall is coordinating volunteers and requests for help in the Cornwall region, where King’s Service Centre is based. There are a range of volunteering roles that can be done virtually and at home. Two examples include becoming a ‘Telephone Befriender’ or a ‘Wellbeing Mentor’. https://www.volunteercornwall.org.uk/covid-volunteer/view/form

Octavia FoundationThe Octavia Foundation has moved its befriending service to telephone befriending. Telephone befriending involves calling an older, isolated person once or twice weekly for up to an hour - supporting them to feel more connected and less lonely without ever leaving your home. All processes are now being completed remotely, including training via video call (1 hour).https://www.octaviafoundation.org.uk/volunteer/apply_now

Virtual DoctorsVirtual Doctors are a UK-based charity with a Zambian operation. They use a Smartphone App to connect isolated health centres in rural Zambia with volunteer doctors, based predominantly in the UK, who offer advice to diagnose conditions, treat patients and prescribe medicine.

Virtual Doctors are always keen to invite new volunteer GPs and hospital-based specialists to join the team, especially if you have experience of working in Sub-Saharan Africa or similar low-resource settings. Volunteers must have active GMC or HCPZ registration and ideally CCT.https://www.virtualdoctors.org/become-a-volunteer-doctor

St. Mungo’sFor nearly 50 years, St Mungo’s has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle homelessness. Each night 17 outreach teams go out to help people sleeping rough to move away from the streets, and they provide a bed and support to over 2,850 people. St. Mungo’s works to prevent homelessness and support people at every step of their recovery from homelessness. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the vulnerable people that St. Mungo’s works with are facing more uncertainty than ever. They are in need of volunteers to help with campaigning and to support their outreach teams. https://www.mungos.org/homelessness/how-to-help-during-coronavirus/

Compassion London Are a group of professional chefs, foodies and volunteers who have come together at wembley stadium to cook and deliver delicious, nutritious meals for those who need them the most.https://www.compassionlondon.org/

Community SouthwarkCommunity Southwark coordinates the voluntary and community sector in Southwark. During the pandemic, charities are under more pressure than ever. Community Southwark is working with organisations to gather all of the volunteering opportunities that they have available and are continuing to update their site as they receive more information. There are a wide range of different roles on their site including food delivery roles, health-related roles and administrative roles.http://communitysouthwark.org/get-involved/covid-19-supporting-vcs-local-communities/covid-19-volunteering-vacancies

Nunhead KnocksNunhead Knocks is a community-based, all-volunteer organisation that works within the Nunhead, Peckham and Queens Road areas of London, connecting people in need of assistance due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Individuals can volunteer to dog-walk, prepare meals, offer their mental health or IT skills, collect and deliver food, medicine, prescriptions and/or baby supplies.https://www.nunheadknocks.com/volunteer

Time and TalentsTime & Talents is a charity in Southwark that brings people together for mutual support, fun and friendship. In response to the pandemic they have created a telephone befriending service and are organising food deliveries for vulnerable. Fill out the application form to volunteer.http://www.timeandtalents.org.uk/volunteering-application-form

Pembroke HousePembroke House is a centre for social action and residential community in Walworth, South London. They have created a site that lists volunteering opportunities and ways to help the community in response to COVID-19.https://www.walworthse17.info/

I want to volunteer in LONDON: WESTMINSTER

Westminster City Council – Westminster ConnectsWestminster City Council has set up Westminster Connects to connect volunteers with those who need help during the coronavirus outbreak. Anyone who would like to help can sign up as a volunteer and specify their availability, skills and how they would like to help.https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-how-you-can-help

North Paddington Food BankNorth Paddington Food Bank (NPFB) is located in North Westminster and serves wards in the area including Harrow Road, Queen’s Park, Westbourne, Church Street, Little Venice, Maida Vale, Bayswater and Lancaster Gate Wards. NPFB is reliant upon volunteers and has an increased need for volunteers due to the high demand for home deliveries during this time. Individuals can sign up for a variety of different volunteering roles such as sorting and packaging food, as well food delivery by car or bike using the Google spreadsheet on their site.https://www.npfoodbank.org.uk/

I want to volunteer in CORNWALL

Cornwall is home to King’s Service Centre, an innovative and forward thinking technology team that supports the services of King’s College London.

Our Service Centre brings modern high skilled IT career opportunities to Cornwall, building success through the ongoing recruitment of local talent, as well as investing in the training and development of staff and creating graduate and apprenticeship opportunities.

I want to volunteer across the UK

FareShareFareShare relies on volunteers and needs many more people to help in the warehouses, vans and offices to create food orders and deliver them to charity and community partners.

FareShare’s network of 17 partner organisations cover all four nations of the UK and provide just under 1 million meals a week to 11,000 frontline charities and community groups – all supporting vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness, mental health, domestic violence, loneliness and families using breakfast, after school and holiday clubs to make ends meet and allow children to learn without hunger.https://fareshare.org.uk/volunteer/

COVID-19 Mutual Aid UKCOVID-19 Mutual Aid UK is a group of volunteers supporting local community groups organising mutual aid throughout the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK. Their focus is on providing resources to, and connecting people in their nearest local groups with willing volunteers and those in need. Use their site to find your ‘local group’ and volunteer to help.https://covidmutualaid.org/

Age UKAge UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The charity provides companionship, advice and support for older people who need it most. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are asking for more individuals to participate in ‘neighbourly volunteering’ to help support older people who are staying at home. Through neighbourly volunteering, you can offer your services to the elderly population in your area. Examples of services that you could offer include picking up groceries, taking a pet for a walk or picking up a prescription.https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/neighbourly-volunteering/

SumOfUs – COVID-19 Support NetworkSumOfUs has built a centralised global response system where individuals can log and respond to COVID-19 related asks and offers. There are a wide range of asks. You can also choose to post an offer of help if you don’t find a request that you can respond to.https://aid.sumofus.org/en

Communities TogetherCommunities Together has set up a platform to help all UK communities respond to COVID-19. There are a wide range of asks across the UK that you can respond to as a volunteer.https://together.madeopen.co.uk/

The ForeThe Fore is a seed funder for the non-profit sector that catalyses fresh solutions to pressing social issues including knife crime, childhood obesity, social isolation, food poverty and homelessness. They have created a RAFT Directory for Skilled Volunteer Requests that connects charities and social enterprises with skilled professionals keen to help with challenges thrown up by the COVID-19 crisis. Using the directory on their site, you can find a volunteering position that suits your given skill set.https://www.thefore.org/raft-directory-support-requests/

Time to Spare – Furlough GoTime to Spare allows local charities, CICs and local government to coordinate their use of volunteers. They set up Furlough Go to enable charities and community groups to connect with and involve skilled and experienced furloughed staff as volunteers during this time. If you have been furloughed or would like to volunteer, sign up on their site.https://help.timetospare.com/furlough-swap

Reach VolunteeringReach Volunteering is the leading skills-based volunteering charity in the UK. They are the single biggest source of trustees for the voluntary sector in the UK. Connecting people, skills and good causes is their mission and passion. They help charities and other non-profits find the skills they need to thrive. Through their site you can see what COVID-19 related volunteer opportunities there are and sign up.https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/opportunities-solr?search_api_views_fulltext=covid

Do ItDo It is an online platform which lists volunteering opportunities such as food sorting, prescription pick up, telephone befriending, tech support plus more.https://doit.life/ours

I want to DONATE ITEMS

National Blood ServiceThe National Blood Service is still open and requires donations. Travelling to donate blood is considered essential travel because it helps meet the medical needs of vulnerable people. Check the latest updates for more information.https://www.blood.co.uk/

Trussell Trust UKTrussell Trust UK is a national charity which aims to end hunger and poverty in the UK. Over 90% of the food distributed by food banks in the Trussell Trust network is donated by the public which is why food donations are absolutely vital to enable the Trust to give everyone referred to them a balanced and nutritious three-day supply of food. You can donate food at supermarkets across the UK.https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate-food/

Central Southwark Community FoodbankCentral Southwark Community Foodbank tackles food insecurity in central Southwark. Donations can be dropped off Monday – Friday, 10.00 – 14.00 at St Giles Parish Hall, 161 Benhill Road, SE5 7LL. The Foodbank is part of the wider Central Southwark Community Hub which also runs a now virtual holiday club.https://www.cschub.co.uk/

HubbubAs part of their 'Community Calling' campaign, Hubbub are asking for donations of old phones to gift to others to help the community feel connected. More information is available in the link below:https://www.hubbub.org.uk/communitycalling

Resources for charities, community organisations and social enterprises

NCVONCVO champion the voluntary sector by connecting, representing and supporting voluntary organisations. They work to help voluntary organisations and volunteers make the biggest difference they can. NCVO have published guidance and resources to support charities, voluntary organisations and volunteers during the pandemic and have removed the paywall for their resources. HR consultancy Croner, an NCVO Trusted Supplier and specialists in HR and employment law, are offering unlimited access to their HR and Employment Law helpline to all voluntary sector organisations, free of charge.https://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/information/coronavirus

Southwark Council Community Relief FundLocal funders have joined forces to launch a £445,000 relief fund to help Southwark charities, community organisations and social enterprises deal with the impact of the pandemic. The fund will be managed by United St Saviour’s Charity and all applications will go through the London Community Response portal.https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/

Team London BridgeTeam London Bridge is a Business Improvement District (BID) with the vision to make London Bridge one of the most responsible, culturally innovative, environmentally astute commercial districts in the world.The BID has provided Business Guidance including topics such as safety and security, food and drink, arts and culture and health.https://www.teamlondonbridge.co.uk/info-advice-covid

Westminster City CouncilWestminster City Council has set up Westminster Connects to connect volunteers with those who need help during the coronavirus outbreak. Anyone who would like to help can sign up as a volunteer on the Westminster Connects webpage. You can specify your availability, skills and how you would like to help.https://www.westminster.gov.uk/

Young Westminster FoundationThe Young Westminster Foundation is a cross-sector partnership that creates a community of member and partner organisations. Together they shape opportunities and create the best services for children and young people in Westminster.They are supporting their network as best they can but if you are concerned about your service users at risk or the functioning of your organisation, or if you are able to offer support please call them on 07426217044.http://www.ywfoundation.com/members-coronavirus-resources/

The ForeThe Fore coordinates a network of individuals who are interested in providing pro bono support to small charities and social enterprises, as well as becoming trustees. Opportunities are circulated to members weekly. In the past network members have helped with business planning, financial modelling, marketing, legal advice and more. Fill in the survey to see if The Fore can help your organisation.https://www.tfaforms.com/4814404

Reach VolunteeringReach Volunteering is the leading skills-based volunteering charity in the UK. They are the single biggest source of trustees for the voluntary sector in the UK. Connecting people, skills and good causes is their mission and passion. They help charities and other non-profits find the skills they need to thrive. In response to the pandemic Reach has created a platform for charities to post remote volunteering opportunities. People can volunteer from home and could have a big impact.https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/guide/volunteers-help-charities-during-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Grants OnlineGrants Online lists community foundations and other organisations that have launched funding programmes to assist local organisations in responding to the challenges of the pandemic. The list will continue to be updated.https://www.grantsonline.org.uk/coronavirus.html

CatalystCatalyst is a charitable initiative to increase the resilience and responsiveness of UK civil society, through digital, design and data. It’s an alliance of civil society organisations, funders, and digital agencies. During the pandemic Catalyst have been helping charities to use digital technology to keep serving their beneficiaries in a time of crisis. They are providing direct support, creating tools and resources, and offering practical advice.https://www.thecatalyst.org.uk/support

SuperhighwaysSuperhighways offers advice, training and IT support to help small charities and community organisations across London be more effective, raise their profile and demonstrate their impact using digital technology.In response to COVID-19, they are working hard to offer remote working webinars and support resources to help everyone stay at home safely while still carrying out the vital work of their small charity or community group.https://superhighways.org.uk/

Social Enterprise UKKing’s is a member of Social Enterprise UK (SEUK), the national membership body for social enterprises and their supporters. SEUK have a dedicated webpage for the latest support and resources available for social enterprises during the pandemic, which includes webinars and information about legal support.https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/coronavirus-information/

BlumeBlume are offering 1,000 hours of free support to help charities deal with the consequences of Covid-19. Experienced charity accountants, HR professionals, fundraisers, copywriters, and office administrators are all on hand to support you with pressing tasks.uides, for civil society organisations in London during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. From tips about working from home to guidance on governance.https://blume.life/pages/freesupport